Mangakino skate park opening celebration this Saturday
16 December 2014
The Mangakino skate park has been completed early after an amazing fundraising effort and the formation of a partnership between the community and the council. The new facility will be celebrated this Saturday 20 December with an official opening, barbecue and music.
The opening celebrations will start at 11am with a blessing, a welcome by Mayor David Trewavas and the cutting of the ribbon from 11.30am. Following the formalities some professional skateboarders from SOUF Skateboards will demonstrate their skills and then the skate park will be open for action. The event is expected to finish about 1pm.
About $217,000 was raised for the project with contributions from the Mangakino Community Led Development Group, which is funded by the Department of Internal Affairs, Transpower, the Lions Foundation, Trust Waikato and the council.
The skate park has been constructed where the playground sat alongside the town centre. The old playground was dated so has been removed, but some of the newer components will be relocated alongside the new skate park to form a new play area.
Work began in mid-October after consultation with Mangakino youth, who were pleased the skate park would be designed in a similar way to the new Turangi skate park.
Richard Smith from RICH Landscapes designed the skate park. Contractor Angus McMillan Concrete Ltd constructed the skate park with assistance from local labourer Ed Harris. Pumice was donated by Wairarapa Moana Incorporated and was trucked in by Skiffington Transport Limited. Dempsey's Bobcat from Turangi also assisted with the project and P&B Cordes Builders completed the paving.